New home for Bursar Primary Academy as work begins at former school site on Clee Road

Bursar Primary Academy in Cleethorpes has been given the go-ahead to relocate to the former Matthew Humberstone Lower school site.

North East Lincolnshire Council and its partner ENGIE have now started refurbishment works at the Clee Road site.

It will be Bursar Primary Academy’s home from September 2018 after the Department for Education approved the business case of the relocation and additional school places.

Renovating the former Matthew Humberstone Lower school site will cost about £5m and provide local jobs in the building industry during construction.

Moving to the new site means Bursar Primary Academy can gradually increase its pupil numbers over seven years from 210 to 315 to support increasing demand and parental choice in Cleethorpes. The build will also result in the creation of new education jobs for the area.

Bursar Primary Academy’s current home is located in Bursar Street, Cleethorpes, but is landlocked with no school playing field and therefore has no capacity to increase pupil numbers.

The refurbished site will provide pupils access to a 21st century learning environment as already enjoyed by most of the borough’s children.

Councillor Ros James, portfolio holder for children and young people said:

“We want every child in North East Lincolnshire to have the best possible start in life. That means having access to top quality education where they can excel in their learning, develop new skills and raise their aspirations. In redeveloping this site we’re giving Bursar Primary Academy room to grow and instil children with a love of learning in their new surroundings.
“We’re also looking to the future by creating a building that can be adapted to accommodate growing demand as more homes are built in the area. There are also many benefits to the community, who will see new life breathed into a prominent, much-loved building that has stood empty for several years. Redeveloping the site will be a huge improvement to the street scene on one of the main roads into Cleethorpes and further transform the approach into the resort.”

Mrs Pomfret, a co-headteacher of Bursar Primary Academy stated that the move was exciting for the pupils; opening up a wealth of opportunities particularly in sport, music, science and the creative arts due to the extensive grounds and additional indoor space.
She added:

“There is some sadness that the building on Bursar Street will no longer be our educational home and has provided a wonderful education for our community, our current pupils and a multitude of pupils from 1902 to the present day.
“We are grasping the opportunities available to our current and future pupils to ensure that they have their full entitlement to education.”

School councillors were excited, especially after seeing the plans. They were keen to hold the school sports day on the outside playing field and have concerts in the large hall.

A separate dining room was also popular as they said they wouldn’t have lessons disturbed. A music room was a hit as it meant they could practise at breaks and lunchtimes.

Dominic in year four said:

“It would be great for International Primary Curriculum (IPC) lessons and exploring outside with the feeling of grass under your hands.”

A school has been on the site since the 1880s but the current building has stood empty since 2010. Decorative features on the original building, such as the entrance arch, will be renovated or replaced to keep its character during the renovation.

In addition, a series of commemorative plaques, which roll calls the fallen former pupils during times of war, will also be reinstated within the building after being in storage since the school closed. The contract for the works has been awarded to the Lindum Group. Secretary of State approval was required for Bursar Primary Academy to move to the new site and increase its pupil numbers.

Funding for the renovation has come from a central government grant and receipts which will be generated from the sales of part of the playing field from the lower school site (subject to ministerial sign off) and the former Lindsey Lower School site playing field.